BY: JESSICA BEUKER
St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner, which means two things for sure: It’s time to dig out every item of green clothing you own and it’s time to drink copious amounts of beer.
If you’re a country guy or gal, you don’t really need an excuse to drink beer, but it’s nice to have one anyway. Every year the bars are packed with excited and festive partygoers, who just want to drink green beer, listen to good music and celebrate with their friends and family. Or maybe if crowds aren’t your scene, you’d prefer to stay home and host the party yourself! Either way, the beer is going to be most important, so you best make sure you’re drinking the right kind.
Here are the best brews to drink this St. Patty’s Day.
1. O’Hara’s Irish Stout
Brewed in Ireland, this stout is full-bodied, yet smooth. First brewed back in 1999, this stout has even won awards for quality and authenticity. It’s brewed using traditional stout hops, but has an extra pinch of roast barley to stay true to its Irish roots. If you long for the taste of an authentic stout, then this is the option for you!
2. Smithwick’s Ale
Smithwick’s Ale is an amber ale brewed in Ireland with all-natural ingredients and no added preservatives. It has a very distinct, ruby colour and a very distinct creamy taste. Flavours include fresh, floral notes combined with hints of malt, biscuit, and caramel. Yum!
3. Murphys Irish Stout
Another stout brewed in Ireland, this brew is super smooth with roasted barley, chocolate malt and a nitro-powered finish. The recipe is over a century and a half old, and like O’Hara’s it is true to its Irish roots. It has a sweet, pure malt aroma that makes this stout perfect for dessert or any St. Patty’s Day celebration!
4. Guinness
It obviously wouldn’t be St. Patrick’s Day without a little Guinness. This brew has become synonymous with the beer-drinking day and still remains one of the go-to favourites for St. Patty’s Day celebrators. Guinness is a dry stout that was first introduced 259 years ago in 1759. Today, it is brewed in 50 countries and sold in over 120, making it one of the most successful beers in the world. Guinness, which boasts an extremely heavy, thick and dark texture features a burnt flavour, which is derived from malted barley and roasted unmalted barley. When poured as a draft beer, Guinness has a very thick and creamy head, which is the result of mixing the beer with nitrogen and carbon dioxide when poured. Do as the Irish do and grab yourself a Guinness. Cheers!
5. Magners Original Irish Cider
In case your not a beer person, but still want to join in on the celebration. Magners Irish Cider has been made in Clonmel, County Tipperary, Ireland since 1935, making it the oldest Irish cider on the market. What’s even cooler is that the recipe has remained the same over 80 years later. Magners is made with 17 varieties of apples, making it unique and fruity.